GAUTENG SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTS THE FAMILY AS THE COURT CASE OF POISONED CHILDREN IS POSTPONED

By Madali Chibambu

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development’s Men’s Forum provided support to a grieving father attending a court case linked to the death of his two young sons.
• The forum’s presence in the courtroom underscores the department’s commitment to psychosocial support, family preservation, and justice for children.
• The department works closely with affected families, communities, and justice sector partners, advocating for the rights and dignity of society’s most vulnerable members.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development plays a supportive role in matters affecting vulnerable families, as shown by the presence of the department’s Men’s Forum at the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court in support of the Digoro family, who lost two young boys.

The forum’s presence in the courtroom underscores the department’s commitment to psychosocial support, family preservation, and justice for children.

The young boys’ mother, Nonhlanhla Digoro (35), is facing two counts of premeditated murder following the deaths of her sons.

Presiding magistrate Maggie van der Merwe postponed the matter to 22 April 2026, allowing the State and the defence to enter discussions on a possible plea agreement in terms of Section 112 or 115 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

Digoro remains in custody after being denied bail earlier.

The accused, who originally hails from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, is a resident of Phumulamuqashi informal settlement in the south of Johannesburg.

The father of the children, Simon Digoro, who was also present in court, engaged with officials from social development. He expressed his determination to see justice for his sons, Setshaba (10) and Botlhale (8).

According to Simon Digoro, the children were allegedly poisoned two days before Mother’s Day.

He shared that the boys had been excitedly planning a surprise breakfast in bed and had made handmade cards for their mother.

Although the couple divorced in 2018, they later reconciled in an effort to provide stability for their children amid challenging living conditions.

“They were playing outside with other children when she called them and gave them juice,” he said.

After the incident, he explained, both children were hospitalised.

Tragically, the eldest passed away after five days. It was during this time, while the mother was still hospitalised, that she allegedly confessed to poisoning the children.

“I was confused and did not know what to do or say, but I left everything to God,” he said.

Simon Digoro told social development officials that he remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, emphasising that his children had dreams and deserved the chance to live and grow like any other child.

“I spend most of my time here in court, and it is painful to face the person allegedly responsible for my sons’ deaths. But I believe that God is always watching over me,” he concluded.

The department works closely with affected families, communities, and justice sector partners, endorsing its mandate to protect children, provide psychosocial support, and advocate for the rights and dignity of society’s most vulnerable members.